Disclaimer: Booger doesn't own Prince of Tennis.

"English"

'Normal'

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CHAPTER EIGHT: The Magic Word

And now that I'm stronger I've figured out

How this world turns cold and breaks through my soul

Pok

Pok

Pok

Her pink hair followed every movement she made as she hit the ball with an accurate backhand on the wall, she hurriedly wiped a bead of sweat from her forehead and hit the ball once more.

'This is getting really…boring.' She mentally noted herself as she inwardly sighed.

Sakurei had been n Japan in the past two months, and finished all the paper works of the transferring of names, and all that crap she had herself piled up to, as much as she hated to do so, she's been arranging everything in accord to the request of Jiroubu, while he was busy with Sakuno in Paris, Sakurei is doing the works at Akacho, and taking part of the council as the members fled here in Japan for the upcoming ritual, or rather ranking of the noble Yakuza families, as the council was informed by Jiroubu himself of his sickness, he announced that the ranking of the Yakuza Families will be held in Japan, though the complete process of the rankings was still a mystery, they had been fixing their plans just in case.

'Two weeks to go…'she reminded herself.

Four weeks to go, Jiroubu will be here in Japan, with Sakuno, Ryoga, and the twins, as she called them be, and four weeks or less, Jiroubu will finally taking his eternal rest, and its up to her how to take the matters in her hands, she doesn't hate Jiroubu as much, but Sakurei hated the fact that the hierarchy needs to follow genders, if only she's the daughter of Hatori, she might've been the one as the branded heiress of the Yushihiro wealth, she had read newspapers and internet clips about the announcement, and a couple of pictures here and there, Sakurei couldn't help but snicker.

'All that ruckus for an ingrate.' She thought disdainfully as an image of Sakuno flashed in her mind once more.

Whatever this year's ranking process will be, she will make sure they would maintain the 1ST throne as they always do, and by then, she will be the head of the council, she couldn't careless about the Akacho now, its on its great soar, as a matter of fact, Sakurei's interest has always been with the clan and never the corporation, she's got wealth at its finest, fame and all the luxuries she could ask for, and she wouldn't mind if Sakuno would take over the Akacho, as long as she's got the full control of the council, it doesn't really matter to her.

She finally took the last hit on the ball and caught it with her hand, and gripped it in frustration as she and walked over the bench and buried her face in her towel and muffled some incoherent words, two more weeks…she hardly couldn't wait.

Pok

Pok

"I won't go easy on you!Echizen!"

"Hmm, Mada Mada Dane, Momo-senpai."

Something struck her senses as she heard a faint dialogue from afar, Sakurei felt some pang hit her heart,She hurriedly stood up and fixed her things and started to look as to where those voice were coming from.

'Ryoga?could it be you…'

….

'Hatori…were going to be together soon…'He thought bitterly as he fixed his gaze at the portrait above the fireplace, as he chuckled at the memories come rushing back to him, his cerulean orbs closed once more, as he smiled bitterly, He knew what he has done to Sakuno was not fair, but he also knew that only Sakuno could bring back the unity of the noble families, as did her father before her, and that was the first and last time the seven nobles were seen to be together and at peace.

Jiroubu might be great leader as he always do, but sometimes, when he sees the picture of his only son, it reminds him what a heart of a true leader should be, it's something Jiroubu knew he doesn't have, and it's something he saw in Sakuno's eyes.

He could feel his body slowly feel numb with all the pain he has been keeping for the longest time he could remember, and for the last time, he opened his eyes, and took off something from his neck, a silver locket necklace, and placed it on the old oak side-table drawer beside him, as he opened his mouth to call.

"Vernet…"He muttered

The man in front of him lowered his head, Vernet knew this could be the last wish his master could ask for him at this moment, Vernet knew Jiroubu's time on earth is already at its end.

"Yes, Master…"

"Tell Ryoga to come over."He said in deep breaths with peaceful look in his eyes, thoughout these past months, He learned something about his Mago-chan, within weeks Sakuno adopted her nature easier than he thought she can, the last days on earth couldn't be anymore than satisfied, the grand daughter her hadn't seen for decades was here beside him, her smiled gives him the courage and strength to last another day, in his dark dwelling, Sakuno was the one who makes it feel like he's a peaceful sanctuary, he would remember the mornings when Sakuno would knock in his room and serve him Japanese breakfast she cooked herself, Jiroubu never really liked Japanese foods but he learned to love it within weeks, it might not be as expensive like the caviars he always eat, but its a dish only one person can cook and a few could taste.

'Its like having you here beside me…Saori….' He thought as he got himself reminded of the brunette haired lady his only son loved, Jiroubu at first couldn't accept the girl when Hatori took him at their mansion in Japan, but Saori cooks him breakfast every morning, and serves it to them with the sweetest smile, and angelic features, no wonder he captured the heart of Hatori Yushihiro, somehow, when Saori cried in front of him, there's something that poked his conscience, whenever she looks at the girl, her face reminds her of children in Christmas mornings, their faces full of joy, and smiles, and seeing her cry is intolerable, and for the first time, a lady softened Jiroubu Yushihiro's heart.

"What is it?"Ryoga spoke as he made himself comfortable on the cushion beside Jiroubu's bed, and looked at him seriously, its only occasional to have such an impatient and really egoistical man seek for you in such a manner, you'd doubt if he's possessed by some holy saint, yet looking at you with such guilt.

"I won't take long, I don't want her to see me in such state."Jiroubu declared, he had caused her so much pain enough, as much as possible, he doesn't want her to be there to witness him loose the his last breath.

"And you want me to?"Ryoga stretched his back, he couldn't agree more to that, in such a short span of two months, Ryoga had the complete idea how Sakuno's emotions stir, her mind was of naivety and innocence, she wasn't made the world of monsters in disguise, this cruel environment is going to crush her psychologically, he knows it, and right now, to have Jiroubu's death be held in front of her very eyes is like killing deep inside.

"Take her back to Japan."

"I'll let Michael take care of her, we still have something to fix remember." Ryoga said as he stood and grinned at Jiroubu who just nodded and chuckled at his childish antics, sometimes, Ryoga seems to have some humorous sense of judgment, and in some twisted way, it actually entertains him.

"I know, when the time comes, promise me one thing,"Jiroubu paused as he looked at the necklace in his grasp,as Ryoga waited for him to continue.

"Keep her safe,make her happy." He finished, as he gave Ryoga the locket necklace, while the latter took it and nodded slightly at the man's wish.

"I'd do that even if you didn't ask me to you know…"Ryoga said as he grinned and pocketed his knuckles, Sakuno means so much more, that he'd do anything to seal her safety and happiness even if it means having her back to Japan where he can't watch over her.

….

Sakurei had been watching the match from outside the fence as he tennis bag rest on the dust, her eyes fixed on that tennis player with feline orbs, who wears a cap, the tennis player whom reminds her someone she knew.

"Another Echizen…."She muttered.

"Game and Match, six games to four"The umpire announced.

Sakurei couldn't help but applaud the match she just saw, as she proudly smiled which draw the attentions of the players inside the court, being Sakurei as she was, she opened the gate of the fence and let herself in, as she walked over to the two.

"Nice game." She said, as she smiled at the two.

Momoshiro raised an eyebrow at this, a foreigner? with a peculiar pink hair, now that's something you don't see everyday, and, her English is quite good, though Momoshiro can't understand as much English as Ryoma does, he knows what she said was a compliment, as he looked down at his young Captain, waiting for him to do the replying part, since he knew that Momoshiro couldn't speak English as much.

"Thank you." Ryoma answered as he started to turn his back from the stranger, and walk on to the bench.

"Echizen…are you Echizen?"She muttered as if asking if she had the right name.

Ryoma stopped on his track when he heard the girl say his name, he just sighed and tilted his head to slightly look over the girl, as she followed Ryoma.

Ryoma took this indifferently, perhaps it happens a lot of times when people calls him and challenges him for a match, it isn't a big deal for him though, since he's used to it since he was still a freshman, its happening quite often, specially with that kid from America, Kevin Smith, as for now, if this girl challenges him in a match he would probably decline, there's a lot of difference with playing with a girl, spare Tezuka'z coach, the drunken European with rather scary strength.

"If you want a match, I refuse."Ryoma said as he continued walking towards Momoshiro's bench.

"Im Sakurei Shirohata."She spoke as she shifted her language into their native ones.

"Mada Mada dane…"Ryoma muttered.

"Mada Mada daze."Sakurei hollered imitating that of Ryoga's exact tone,as she smirked sarcastically when she saw Ryoma stop in his tracks and faced Sakurei, waiting for her to speak, Ryoma looked at her straight in the eye, as amber clashed with obsidian, Sakurei then stretched her hands in front of her as and smiled at Ryoma sweetly, though Sakurei was just a year older than Sakuno it doesn't count her naivety on board with her age, Sakurei has at a young age, has been socializing with people years older than her, and her charisma and social ability, she never fails to leave them in awe.

Ryoma sensed something weird with this moment, this girl, she knows something he doesn't, with her smile alone, its shows clearly, as he stared back at her, her face doesn't match the aura she possesses, he doesn't know whether Momoshiro felt this too or not, but he knew there's something about this girl that made everything about her very suspicious., he took her hand in a hand light handshake.

"Ryoma Echizen"He said in monotone

….

"Everything happened way out of schedule"as Swedish man about his early twenties of age stood as from the red velvety cushion he were he was taking his nap a minute ago.

Ryoga entered the guest room as he walked over the red cushion beside the well furnished bar, as he sat over one of the chair on the bar, and fixed his gaze at the bottles of wines, as he shrugged.

"How is she?"The Swedish lad said again, as he sat beside Ryoga waiting for an answer.

"Fine."Ryoga answered flatly as he shoved a hair strand from his face.

"Does she know a thing?"

"I didn't tell her anything."

"I'll be leaving for Japan tomorrow morning." The red haired lad stated as he graciously grabbed he shot glass and poured himself some vodka.

"She won't get any better staying here, Michael."Ryoga said, as he looked at the red haired lad who kept him company.

Michael just merely nodded, Michael Scheler was half Swedish and half Japanese, the only heir of the of the fourth noble yakuza family who had been staying in Germany for quite sometime last year, Michael has been representing his clan at the brethren council for quite sometime now, though Michael hasn't taken the title yet, he will be the one participating in the upcoming ranking, the fourth and the first were allies ever since the brethren council started.

"I know that…"he said with guilt traced in his eyes as he took another shot of his drink.

"Take her with you."Ryoga said desperately.

"You don't have to ask,just prepare everything, 8:00 I'll pick her up by 7:00"Micheal said as he finally stood up and fixed his long red hair, and brushed lightly his white jersey jacket, since Michael moved in Paris he's been spending most of his time at the chateau, specially when he and Ryoga do some morning work-outs.

"We should avoid some media exposure until then."Ryoga said as they both nodded in agreement.

"I heard that Ayame's already in Hokkaido."Michael stated again.

Ayame was Sakurei's rival all ever since the world began, but Ayame was already seated as the head of the second noble yakuza clan, the rival of the Yushihiro family ever since the Jiroubu seated as the head of the brethren council, and took the leadership from Ayame's grandfather, they never got it back, specially when Hatori had made alliance to the council which was broken by the time he died.

"Then we have a lot of people to avoid in Japan."Ryoga then muttered and started being skeptical whether he's going to send Sakuno back in Japan without his presence or just make her stay here where she's safe from the people who wants to give her a piece of their minds.

"Do not underestimate my abilities Echizen, You know me better than anyone else."Michael said with deadly monotonous voice, as he smirked at Ryoga, who just raised an eyebrow at this and just smirked back.

"Mada Mada Daze."

…

5:30 am

Paris, France

She unconsciously tugged a blue jersey sweater close to her chest as tears flowed to her cheeks freely as she shifted her position, and snuggled to the fabric, everybody wanted whatever she had and will be having right now, Fame, Fortune, and Luxuries, unbeknownst to them, She would be willing to give those all up, if not only for the sake of her father, if only…her heart wanders only in her dreams, in her fantasy is her only freedom from now on, and reality, is something she would want to ran away from.

"Ryoma-kun…."she muttered in her dream, her lips slightly parted as her hands rested on the sweater

In her dreams, he was there, in her dreams they could be together, it's only her dreams, and its only a dream.

…

6:30

"Hime-chan…wake up, you're going back to Japan today."Ryoga muttered as he shove some stray bangs from her tear-stained face as she painfully opened her eyes as she rubbed it lightly keeping a good grip on the jersey sweater, as Ryoga's husky voice woke her up, as she felt a hand guiding her to sit up.

Something caught his eye, his expression softened with what he saw, this girl was truly something else, her gentleness and her features, he can't blame a stranger if they would mistaken her as a porcelain doll, a porcelain doll with a soft heart, and with eyes that sheds tears.

"H-Home?"She muttered half heartedly.

"Yes, Michael will be with you."Ryoga stated as he helped her up, as she slowly regained her balance.

"B-But, Ojiisan!He'll be alone here…"She muttered unconsciously with her thoughts still drifting to somewhere only she knows.

Ryoga winced at this, he looked up at the high ceiling, as he noticed the big chandelier that hung over it, he shifted his gaze at the window, its midday and she forgot to close her windows, that the breeze entered freely in the room making the crystal bead curtain that surrounds her queen sized soft pink mattress chime a peaceful tune as silence occupied their ears.

"I'll Take care of everything, as of now you're leaving for Japan."He repeated and this time in a commanding voice.

"D-Demo, I haven't booked a flight today…"She muttered again as she rubbed her eyes.

Being sleepy as she was, she missed the current details of her stature, being an heiress of Japan's richest business Tycoon, you won't be needing any booked flight, you just have to buy a ticket and ride, Though their private plane is available, Ryoga chose the public flight not to attract any attention, Sakuno has to blend in for the next few weeks.

"Just fix yourself, he'll be here in thirty minutes." He shrugged and said as he abruptly hugged the fragile girl in front of him who couldn't protest at his sudden actions.

"Eh, what's going on? Is something wrong?"Sakuno spoke as she stood from her bed and picked 'her' sweater.

"Nothing's wrong, now get going."Ryoga shrugged as he forced a smile, and shoved his hands in his pockets.

Sakuno then nodded slowly, that's weird, Ryoga's acting like he's hiding something, he never does this, the surprises? He does it everyday, but the rush? He hates it.

She turned her back and slowly made her way to the bathroom as to not to push his patience to its limits, when something grabbed her wrist back to be thrown in his chest with his god like sweep, her blush deepened as she felt him bury his face to her hair, she could vaguely hear his heart beat.

"I'm sorry…"

Then with that he left her room.

…

"Ohayo,Sakuno-san"The red haired Swedish lad said as he went out of his Corvette, and greeted the auburn haired girl at the doorstep with a familiar Echizen behind her, she smiled back at him.

"Ohayo,Mi-kun." She said as she grabbed her hand carry from the maid beside her and muttered her thanks, she wore her pleated mid-thigh jean skirt , Pink and Black striped tank-top, paired with a lacy thick belt tied on her waist, and a pair of black wedges that fits her dainty toes just right, and to top it all of with the Seigaku Jersey Jacket, and a pink baseball cap that rested on her head that covered her pony tailed auburn hair just right.

Michael just smiled at her slightly as he tilted his head at his sides, that proves how much she knows nothing of what's going to happen, as he tugged his green baseball cap to block his view, and zipped his white Nike jersey jacket to hide his Black shirt inside, as his white sleek jogging pants fall loosely that shows the vividness of him lengthy legs, as he packed his hands on his jersey pocket and smirked.

"We'll be late."He muttered.

"Hai, See you in Japan ne? Ryoga-kun?"Sakuno muttered as she turned her back to face the serious looking Ryoga who looked at her and gave her a good cheek pinch.

"Mada Mada daze,Now..shooo"He joked as the two went inside the car, and made their way to the airport.

'Be safe…Hime.'

TZUZUKU……………..

Yeeey!!!now Sakuno will be back in Japan, I'll let you meet the representatives of the seven noble yakuza clans soon, and I estimated this fiction's chapters its going to be fast really, im all fired up thanks to some songs here and there, and Kanata Hongo too, hohoho, so leave a review so Kanata will love you and you wont have pimples!! Forever!! Its guaranteed!

CHAPTER NINE: HEROES RISE

Kevin took his phone from his pockets and dialed a number,of a familiar person he would like to meet soon.

…

Ryoma looked up at the sky as he lay down at the floor again, as per usual of his day, he was spending sometime at the rooftop since they don't have a practice for today, he felt something vibrate in his pocket as he lazily grabbed it and answered.

"What do you want?"

…

Kevin smirked as he heard him answer.

"Oi,I just rescued your girlfriend."

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